MIDWIFERY STUDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AND OPINIONS ABOUT, AND BEHAVIORS TOWARDS GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS.

Raising people’s awareness of these genetically modified foods is very important. Therefore, to protect the members of the society against the risks of these foods, health professionals take great responsibility. This descriptive study was conducted with midwifery students attending the Faculty of Health Sciences, Cumhuriyet University. The population of the study comprised 307 students studying at a midwifery department during the 2015/2016 academic year. There was a significant relationship between their knowledge levels and views about genetically modified foods such as “I approve the production of foods with genetically modified seeds in Turkey”, “Production of GM foods poses risks for all living creatures”, “I think that GM crops have carcinogenic properties”,“I think that GM crops are harmful to the quality of life of people” (p<0.05). In conclusion, this present study shows that the participating midwifery students’ knowledge of genetically modified foods was insufficient. However, their views on and behaviors towards genetically modified foods and consumption status were satisfactory. That midwifery students who are to provide people with education and counseling on nutrition in order to protect and improve mothers’, infants’ and communities’ health have adequate and correct knowledge about genetically modified foods is of great importance.